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100 Years Ago This Month

May 1922

May 5

Emmitsburg Youth Real Hero

Presence of mind and quick thinking on the part of Master Joseph Frizell, 13 years old, no doubt saved the life of Master Paul Humerick last Monday evening at the Emmitsburg Railroad Station. Frizell with several youngsters was waiting for the evening train to arrive. Walking along by the side of the track some few yards from the station they saw the baggage car approaching young Humerick. The baggage car had become detached from the train and was rolling freely down the rails with little sound. Frizell called to Humerick to jump off the rails but evidently not knowing the car was rolling along alone he gave a little attention to their warnings.

Quick as a flash, Frizell realized the danger and ran after the car, which was moving slowly, pulling Humerick off the rails and down to the earth. The car was only a short distance from the embankment when the boys made their getaway and no one was more surprised than Humerick when he heard the detached car go smashing over the embankment into a tree. The large tree hit in just the place Humerick was standing and eyewitnesses say that had the young boy held his place he would’ve been badly mangled if not killed outright. Frizell has been a hero in the eyes of his friends during the week and rightly so as it was not only a brave deed, but showed that his mind was working fast to take in the situation.

The train had stopped at Saint Joseph station before arriving in Emmitsburg and it is understood that while the conductor was assisting the passengers off at that station, someone uncoupled the connection to the baggage car, which might have resulted in a serious accident. The case is being investigated and the railroad officials say the offenders will be taken to account. The car was somewhat damage but there was no loss to the baggage or other contents.

Taneytown Tea Garden

The summer Saturday night crowds for which Taneytown has a reputation, started for the season, last Saturday night. The wide streets and sidewalks of the town help greatly towards comfortably accommodating great crowds. The band concert helped attract even more patrons.

Meanwhile, Amelia Annan and Claire Brining will open a tea garden on the lawn at the Brining home, East Baltimore St., chiefly for the purpose of serving late lunches and refreshments to automobile tourist, afternoon and evenings throughout the summer. When it becomes known to the traveling public, it should become popular. The location is ideal for the purpose.

Heavy Thunderstorms

Sunday afternoon a heavy thunder and rain storm passed over this section of the county. Rain fell in torrents for a time and the lightning and the thunder was severe. One of the flashes of lightning struck the barn of Luther Keilholtz, located about a mile east of Graceham and it did considerable damage. A fire started, but prompt action and hard work by Mr. Keilholtz and other saved the building from being burned.

In the evening another thunderstorm came this way. The thunder was very heavy as was the rain. The lightning struck in, or near, the electric light wires about Thurmont and put the street lights out of commission. Churchgoers went home in the darkness and rain. Fuses were blown in a number of homes.

On Monday about 5 o’clock a light shower of rain fell in Thurmont. To the north, around Franklinville and the mountains, hail is said to have fallen, but not in such quantities as to do damage to the tender vegetables.

May 12

Emmitsburg Election

Last week was held the election of the officers for the Corporation of Emmitsburg. 83 votes were cast, Harry Stokes for Burgess, received 78 votes, Milton Shuff, 4, and Mrs. Andrew Annan, leader of the nefarious Emmitsburg Suffragette movement, voted for herself. Burgess Stokes and Commissioner Rhodes, together with holdover members William Morrison, and Charles Rotering, will constitute the town’s government for the ensuing year.

Permits To Build

Beginning June 1st every person before erecting or repairing any building in Frederick County worth $250 or more, will be required to procure a permit from the Board of County Commissioners. When applying for a permit, which will be issued free of cost by the commissioners, every applicant will be required to give the dimensions and the estimated cost of the proposed buildings. Permits will have to be secured before the work can be started. In order not to create a hardship on persons living in remote sections of the county, it will not be necessary to apply in person for a permit. Persons desiring a permits can write to the commissioners setting forth the necessary information and in return the permits will be mailed directly to the applicant.

Any persons failing to comply with this new law will, upon conviction, will be fined no less than $10 or more than $100 and cost for each offense. The object of this law is to get the names of owners of new buildings on the assessment books for the purpose of taxation. Heretofore persons have been erecting buildings and their names never get on the assessment books until several years afterwards. As the county is so large it has been most difficult to get all the names of owners of new buildings and by the passage of this act it is thought that this trouble will be over come.

Knitting Mills Close

The knitting mills of the Union Manufacturing Company in Thurmont and Emmitsburg closed down Wednesday for an indefinite period because of the shortage of storage facilities and cancellation of delivery dates on orders. Approximately 300 employees, mostly women, will be affected by the order.

May 19

Battle Of Gettysburg To Be Re-Enacted.

The Marine Corp, 4,000 strong, will conduct practice maneuvers this summer on the Gettysburg Battlefield. The maneuvers will embrace sham battles in which the historic three-day struggle at Gettysburg will be refought with modern implements of warfare. The 4,000 men expected to participate will march to Maryland into Pennsylvania and to the scene of the battle. The Maryland points that will be touched on the march include Frederick and Emmitsburg. Some of the Marines will also go through Taneytown and Harney.

Oil Drill Reaches 1,000 Feet

The Annie Laura Oil and Gas Company of Thurmont’s drill has reached 1,000 feet. Drilling has temporarily been suspended until casing can be inserted to stop the flow of water. Oil soil, with no oil production, was struck at 730 feet. The company’s drilling equipment is prepared to go 3,300 feet. Work will resume in about 10 days or two weeks – as soon as the new casting arrive and it’s adjusted. Water has come up within 9 feet of the top of the drill hole. The pressure of the water retards the stroke of the drill so it is necessary to stop the inflow of water. The new casting will prevent water from coming into the hole and after work has been resumed no further trouble from this source is expected.

Typhoid Fever

Arthur Gilliland, age about 22 years old, of Hamiltonban Township, 2 miles from Zora, died Wednesday morning from typhoid fever. Ralph Brown, son of Harry Brown of Fairfield, is confined to his home with typhoid fever.

May 26

Ground Broken For Memorial Park

The ceremony of breaking ground for Thurmont’s Memorial Park took place Tuesday morning. Mrs. Charles Waters, chairman of the committee, turned the first spadefull of earth and Mayor Rouser the second. The work of transforming the meadow into Memorial Park was begun and there will be no let up until it is finished. Two stone pillars will mark the entrance to the park. These pillars which will be 2 feet square and 6 feet high, will be built on green stone secured in our mountains, and each will have embodied therein a bronze tablet containing the name "Memorial Park." These pillars, together with a 40-foot flag pole, two flowerbeds, and the grading and ditching will be done by May 27, Memorial Day in Thurmont.

Bridge Repaired

The bridge on the state road over Toms Creek at Emmitsburg, which was condemn by the State Roads Commissioner, is again open to travel. The bridge was condemned as being unsafe for travel and was closed on Friday. On Monday, workmen started to repair the bridge and on Thursday it was again open to travel. A new concrete foundation was erected at the bridge and other improvements made.

Auto Overturned

On Sunday morning while on their way back to the state sanatorium, four men in a Ford car came to grief while making the turn on Water Street in Thurmont. The driver of the car evidently failed to start making the turn at the proper time. A quick turn of the wheel landed the occupants on the sidewalk in front of Mr. Mackley’s home. Mr. Mackley gave them aid. Bystanders, in exchange for the remaining hooch the occupants had been enjoying, helped right the car, and the patients of that institution, who were eager to return before their absence was noticed, were soon on your way back to the sanatorium.

Harney Is Just Fine

Joseph Claybaugh and Lake Ridinger, who went to Illinois sometime ago to seek their fortunes, have returned home perfectly satisfied that Harney is plenty good enough for them. They reported having a fine trip. They traveled over 3,000 miles on the round-trip, without having any problems, not even a puncture.

Falls From Rocking Chair

Last week, William Forney, the oldest man in Harney, had a bad fall. Mr. Forney is 89 years old and weighs 250 pounds and while trying to get out of his rocking chair, both rockers broke off at the back post, throwing him backwards to the floor, causing painful bruises.

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